Sheet-feeding device



Nov. 11 1924. 1,514,947

J. E. WOODBURY SHEET FEEDING DEVI CE Filed #13 1 12 32 6 Sheets-Shea; 1

Nov. 11 1924 1,514,947

J. E. WOODBURY SHEET FEEDING DEVI CE Filed May is, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 :1 "J; m2 cjazzwad ld/ Nov. 11 1924 J. E. WOODBURY SHEET FEEDING DEVICE e Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 16, 1922 I 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 $98K kak n J. E. WOODBURY SHEET FEEDING DEVICE Filed May 16 VA m.

-Nov6 11.1924.

J. E. WO ODBURY SHEET FEEDING DEVICE Filed May 1922 W Sheets-Shea}; 6

Patented Nov. 11, 11924..

when

stem-e1.

JOHN E. woonnonv, or Woncnstrnn, ainssncnusn'rrs.

SHEET-FEEDING DEVICE.

Application filed May 16, 1922; Serial no. 561,409.

To all ti'.]b0ilb it may canoe 1%.

'Be it known that l, Jonn E. Woonnonv, a citiiten of the United States. residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of hi'hissachusetts, have invented a new and useful Sheet-Feedin Device, of which the following is a specincation.

his invention relates to a machine for taking sheets from a sheet-separating mechanism and manipulating said sheetseparating mechanism and delivering the sheets into the position'to be removed either automatically or, ordinarily, by hand.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide an entirely automatic arrange ment for this purpose which will leave each sheet with its forward end elevated so as to be readily grasped by the operator, or removed by automatic means, if desired, connectedso that the sheet separating mechanism will periodically remove a sheet from the bottom of a pile in the teed-box timed in proper relation to the sheet feeding parts; to provide means whereby any delay in the removal of the sheet from the positioii just described will automatically prevent further operation of the sheet separating mechanism and the "further teed cl: a sheet forward into delivering position; to provide pneumatic means. for controlling the parts whichin itself is controlled by the position oi a sheet in its location above described ready to be taken away; to provide means whereby when the sheet just ready to be delivered is still held by a pneumatic nozzle which manipulates it, the movement of this nozzle will be prevented automatically. the moven'ient ot' the sheet separating device will stopped, and the operation of the sheet supporting grid which c ALlES the sheet forward will also be as tested, and these parts will be automatically restored to automatic condition by the detachment of the sheet from. holding nozzle; to provide simple and accurate mechanism for accomplishing these objects, and to so relate these mechanisms to each other that the machine will be capable of operation by inexperienced help without the danger of delivering two sheets into the same position at one time or of injuring the parts 01 the machine.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings. in which- F 1 is plan of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side View of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end view of thesam'e;

Fig. at is a horizontal sectional view on the line 44L of Fig. 3;

5 is a central longitudinal sectional view on the line 5-5 or Fig. 3, showing the parts in the same position as in that figure and in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 3, showing the carriage cam and connected mechanism;

1g. '7 1s a side view of details oi the pneumatic controlalso shown in Fig. 2 and illustrating them in a difierent position;

Fig. 8 is a side View of the slide inecha nism, showing it in the position assumed when the sheets are delivered;

Fig. 9 is a sectional View on the line 9-4) of F 2; h

Fig. 10 is a side view similar to 2. but showing mainly the pneumatic connections;

Fig. 11 is a similar view 01" a partthereof, showing the parts in a dilierent position; I

Fig. 12 is an end view of the pneumatic;

F 13 is a central sectional view of the same on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a central sectional view of one of the pneumatic valves;

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal central sectional view on the line l5-'15 of Fig. 1, showing the parts in position for delivering one sheet and just ready to receive another.

F 16 is a similar view showing the position of the parts when the sheet is being guided out of the supply box; and I Fig. 17 is a similar view showing the sheet still further advanced into a position between the feed rolls. on

r The invention is shown as embodied in a machine mounted on a frame 10 which can be located adjacent to and, if desired, partly suppor ed by theframe of a printing press to wl'iich the sheets are to be supplied. The machine also can conveniently receive its power from that printing machine although it is not confined to either of these features. For the latter purpose I have shown the driving shaft 11 mounted on said frame as provided with a sprocket wheel 12 receiving power from the printing machine shaft or any other source of power through a sprocket chain. On this shaft at the other side of the machine is a sprocket wheel 13 on which I have shown a crank arm 14 con nected by a link 15 with an arm 16 fixed to a shaft 17 at the upper part of the machine. On this shaft at the opposite sides are two arms 13 connected by horizontal links 19 with a feed box 20 which slides on a horizontal frame 21 supported by the frame 10. it one end this box is pivoted on two studs 9 carried by vertically adjustable brackets S on the frame. These brackets are connected by a pivot cross bar 3'' through which said studs pass. This crossbar has an integral arm 6 that can be adjusted vertically by a screw 5 to swing the bar about the pivots and raise and lower the inner end of a plate 26 carried by it. At the rear the frame 21 has two sockets 4 which rest on the tops of two ends on the frame to permit it to be swung up about the forward pivots 9 for access to the parts underneath.

The feed box 20 is without a bottom but the frame 21 is provided with a skeleton bottom 22 for supporting sheets in the box. This feed box is provided with an adjustable back plate 23 connected with the back of the box by adjusting screws 24 to make its effective length equal to the length of the sheets which are to be used in it. Itwill be understood, therefore. that the reciprocation of this feed box will move the sheets contained thereon as the back plate 23 projects down through the bottom 22. having slots in its end for receiving the longitudinal plates of which said bottom is formed. At the front of the feed box it is provided with an opening 25 into which projects the plate 26 having its end narrowed down and projecting toward a, central opening 22 in the bottom 22.

On one of the links 19 there is adjustably located a cam 27 which, when the feed box moves back. engages an arm 23 fixed on a shaft 29 and presses it down. This arm turns the shaft 29 upwardly slightly and brings an arm 30 at the center of it up toward the bottom of the bottom sheet in the feed box. This arm 30 is provided at its extreme end with a nozzle 31 pivoted thereon and connected with a hose 32 and through a valve 33 with an exhausting pump or source of air under reduced pressure. The means for creating the suction I have not shown herein, as it does not constitute a. part of this invention.

The pivoted nozzle 31 is connected by a lir t below the pivot with an arm 35 on a cross shaft 36 at the end of the machine. On this shaft is an arm 37 connected by a spring 38 with a stationary part of the machine to normally pull this arm forward and the nozzle down out of operative position. At the other end of the shaft 36 is an arm 40 fixed thereon and on the link 19 on that side there is adj ustably fixed a projection 41 which, when the link moves back, engages this arm 40 and swings the nozzle up into a position in which its upper end is substantially horizontal. On the movement of the fed box forward, the projection 41 leaves the arm 40 near the beginning of the stroke and allows the spring 38 to swing the nozzle to an inclined position. This brings the extreme end of the bottom sheet below the projecting plate 26 and then the cam 27 moves beyond the end of the arm 28 and the latter is then free to swing up on account of the action of the spring 38. This moves the nozzle down bodily and takes the end of the paper as whole down under the plate 26 and inclines it so that it can be pulled off along th nozzle without meeting any resist- (11cc from the suction. The continued rotation of the main shaft carries the feed box forward to the end of the plate 26 and the nozzle is so located as to guide the upwardly projecting edge of the sheet on the surface of pair of rubber covered feed rolls 43 on the top of which are located a pair of steel rollers 4.4. These rollers are held down yieldingly on the rubber rollers by spring 415. The shaft 16 on which the rubber covered feed rolls are located is operated by a sprocket chain 4.? passing over the wheel 13 and a sprocket wheel on that shaft. Just as soon as the paper touches these rolls. thereforc. the paper is moved forward and out on the receiving table which consists of a series of stationary horizontal plates 4.8 fixed at their outer ends but held up yielding at their inner ends which project over the shaft 4-6. This table. therefore. receives the sheet from the feed box and it is fed along the table by the operation of the rolls ready for the subsequent operations which will now be described.

On the shaft 11 is fixed a grid cam shown as of heart-slmpe formation. operating a roll 51. on a bell crank pivoted on a cross shaft and adapted to swing freelv thereon. :3. spring 54. draws this bcll Cl ove? so as to keep the roll in contact w the cam. The bell crank at the top is connected by a link with a slide 56 on which is a grid composed of a plurality of h J' plates 57. These are located slightly above the table 4-8 so as to really support a sheet of paper deposited from the feeding rolls. The slide is provided with a guide 58 extending to the rear to assist in keeping the up in horizontal position, and the sides of the slide are supported on horizontal tracks 59 adjustahly supported by the frame inside. i

Fixed on the cross shaft 5'3 is a hell crank 60 having a roll 61 operating on a heartshaped carriage cam '62 on the main shaft 11. A spring (5'0" holds the roll 61 against the earn 62. This cam is set ahout ninety de grees from the cam 50. To the upper part of the bell crank ispivoted a link 64 pivoted to an arm 65 on a cross shaft 6 which is provided with another arm 67 extending tip from it, and connectedby a link 68 with a slide 69 operating on a horizontal rod. 70 at the side of the machine which serves as a support and guide for it. This slide has a stud on which there is a metal roller 49 run'ning on a horizontal track 71'; on the top ofthe frame to support the slide in horizontal; position and control the position of an osoillatfahle shaft 72 which extends but from the slide in the same direction and projects over the grid. This shaft '72 is pivoted on. the 'slidein' a bearing 73 with which it is provided. The shaft 72 extends it'rom' the hearingconcentrically for a distance. but is bent so that when the arlh is oscillated in the bearing the end will rise and fall. This end has on it a hollow head 74 provided with a goose-neck 7 5 extending l roi'n it and having a downwardly extending inlet opening. The head is provided with a ,tiihe '76 extending from it back over the slide but nhovahle with the head and cohnected hv a flexible tube '77 with a T 123 below which is connected in turn with a pump or other ineans forexhaujsting the air. It will be seen that the suction througl'i thi" tlihe will result in holding a sheet of paper Linst the nozzle whenever the nozzle on the gOOSQ-11GCl comes down so that the open end of the nozzle is sealed by the sheet.

Fixed on the end of the oscillatahle shaft 752 there is a stop arm 78 adapted to enmi z e a pin T9 fixed on the slide 69 to" preven. the shaft 72 moving at any time down to certain. point and preventing the head hitting; the paper too high. This is a positive stop.

(in this pin '79 is a spring 131 connected with a stud on the arm 78 for yieldingly moving the shaft over to its extreme position and holding the head up. Also extending from this stop-arm is a branch ha ing: a fibre end 111 adapted. during the Elf ion of the slide to come into contact with an ml justahle stop 109 located on a horizontal.

rod 110 supported by the frame. This stop can be adjusted to any position along the inachine to bring the nozzle down on he paper at any desired point in the travel of theslide. I v v V Connected with the T 123 is a small casing 80 which has a flexible diaplnrar... r its surface held in place by a plate 82 which is fixed. to the trains and constitutes supprut for this casing. With the pump working to eihaust the air through this system of tubes in the ordinary w; the diaphragm will not he ailected by it, because the nozzle 75" at the end oi the system is open. liowelveigas soon as that nozzle is closed by a sheet t pap'er the suction will act to draw in the diaphragin. The diaphragm is connetted by a link 83 with a plate S l loosely pivoted on the shaft 66, and held by a spring yielding-1y in one extreme position. provided with a long projecting arin 86. the Upper end of which. obviously is capable of moving slightly and is moved by the collapse of the diaphragm. p

Oil the main shaft ll there is another sprocket wheel 27 which by a chain operates a sprocket wheel ona eaiashatt 88 provided with a cam 89. This cam operates a roll on an arm 90 fixed on a stop-shaft 9i. It is to he noted that on this arm' 90 there is a pin 92 and a stop 93 having a notch in its lower side at the end toward the pin. Between the pin and the end of this stop there is rooin This plate 84 is enough for the arm 86 to be received sotliat I when the diaphragm is in its normal position the arm 90 can work up and down with the cam and is not affected by the diaphragm but when the diaphragg'in is collapsed this arm 86 is pulled inwardlytothe position shown in Fig. 7 thenext time the can] moves around to the position toraise the arm, 90. This then will lock the arm 90 in its raised position and the cam 89 tl'iere- ,at'ter will rotate idly. The normal position shown in Fig. 2 where this arn does not affect the operation of the arm 90. 1

(in this shaft 9i is fixed a stop nrni 9!- wh h is'ad'apted. when the arm 90 is, raised. to engage a pin. on the laell-ci'ankofl aru'l stop that in its rearinost position; holding: its roller ofl the cam 50 andholding; the gridliacic in its rearinost position. p

Also fixed on the stop shaft 9 is an arm 96 having a notch 97 for engaging over pin 98 on the upper arm of thehell-crank 6O Whichis' fixed on the cross shaft :33. This holds that bell-crank forward and that roll- 'er away from its cam in the same way. This prevents the operation of the slide and nozzle, holding them in their forward posi- The suction tube '17 is conne'cted with the pilmp or other source of su'ction throng'h a flexible 'tube 99 which is connected ith a valve lOOhavihg a tube 101 that to the pump. Thisvalve l00 is provided with a-plun'ger 102 which when its lowermost position closes the connection tothe pump andopens it when raised. valve is provided with a steml03 adjnstahly connected with the end of the lever 104. lever hasa roll 1O5 operating on a earn 106 also on the shaft 88. It is shown as of sub-- s a t a y the sa e shape s the sa e i' m te o lhe shaf in. po ie a u &

degrees from it. It will be obvious that this cam will open the connection to the suction once during each revolution and keep it open about a third of the revolution according to the design of the cam.

On the lever 101 is an arm 10? having a projection 108 extending out over the arm 90 and adapted to be raised by it and held up when this arm is raised either by this cam or by the locking means above described as shown in Fig. 7. This holds the valve 100 open.

On the main shaft 11 is a cam 112 adapted to raise periodically a roller 113 on an 114C pivoted freely on the cross shaft 1- spring 115 holds the roll down on the cam and the cam is designed so as to hold the roller up throughout most of the revolution and drop it at a certain point in the revolution of the main shaft. This arm is connected by a link 116 with a lever 117 above pivoted on a stud on the frame. The opposite end of this lever is adjustably connected with a valve stem 118 for allowinga valve 119 thereon to drop periodically in the valve casing 33. This valve controls the communication between a suction pump or other source of suction and the flexible tube 82 which is connected with the nozzle 31 and allows communication of that nozzle with the source of suction for a short period once during each revolution. This valve 119 can be held closed by an arm 120 on the stop shaft 91. This arm has a notch 121 for engaging a pin 122 on the arm 114 and holding the valve 119 down.

It will be understood that this machine can be used apart from any other machine by itself, but I prefer to use it in conjunction with a printing machine as for example, a die press, and I have shown notches 12 1 on the frame at one end for holding it on a rod constituting a part of such die press and supporting that end of this machine.

The operation is a follows: Starting with the feed box in the position shown in Fig. 15, the projection 27 depresses the arm 28 and moves the nozzle 31 up to its highest position and also the stop 11 engages the arm 40, swings the shaft 36 back, and thus rocks the nozzle over into a position in which its upper open. end is horizontal. At this time the valve 119 is elevated by the spring 1 15 which draws the roller 113 down into the low part ofthe cam 112. Therefore the suction is connected in such a way as to draw down the end of the bottom sheet below theprojecting end of the plate 26.

Now with the parts in this position it will understood that the main shaft is continuing to rotate, and the feed box is just start ing forward. As it goes forward the projecting end of the bottom sheet moves under the nose of the plate 26, the projection 11 leaves the arm 10, and allows the shaft 26 to swingdown and this lets the nozzle 31 over into inclined position.

While in that position the paper can slide along it without resistance, but now the arm 27 moves away from the arm 28 and allows the nozzle to swing down bodily and this pulls the paper down at the end. Just then the 112 comes around to the high spot and lowers the valve 119, shutting off the suction. tion shown in Fig. 16. Now the feed box continues to move forward and the sheet is soon brought to the position shown in Fig. 1 hetu' the rollers.

It will be understood that the nozzle 31 is left throughout most of the rest of the rotation of the'shaft 11 disconnected from the suction and inoperative ready to be again connected in the manner just described. when the rotation is about completed. as the shaft continues to rotate the cam 50 commences to lift its roller and thus move back the grid 57. Just before this starts back the cam 62 commences to raise its rollr and the shaft 66 commences to swing. This shaft starts the carriage 69 forward on its guide 70.

It is to be remarked at this time that the nozzle at the beginning of the above described motion was located in its lowermost position on account of the action of the stop 111 and that the valve 100 was at the same time opened by the cam 106. Therefore the suction is connected to this nozzle and the sheet in advance of the one that has just been referred to is thus brought under the control of this nozzle.

Now as the carriage moves forward, feedinn; a sheet out of the feed box on the table, the sheet in advance is carried over by the nozzle. s it moves over, the grids are lu'ought back by the action of the grid cam 50, and the forward end of this sheet is elevated by the nozzle, and held in elevated position by it. This nozzle remains in elevated position for part of the revolution and the operator is able to grip the sheet, as its end is lifted off the table and grid, and draw off whenever ready. When she draws it off the open end of the nozzle 75 is exposed to the air. Now the air current which has been passing through the tube .77 has p been holding the diaphragm S1 in ted position so that the stop :3 is over in the position shown in 7 holding the lever up. The effect tl'e valve open and of this is to keep also l-teep the stop soaft 91. over in its position to hold the rollers off of the several cams 50, 62, and 112 in what may be called, the elevated position. Thus, until the operator takes the paper off, these three cams although rotating cannot act to allow the rollers to descend toward the center. Therefore the grid is held back, the slide is pre- This leaves the parts in the posi- Now' vented from operating, and the valve 33, is closed, even if the cams rotate far enough to allow the opposite actions to take place.

Now when the operator moves the sheet a current of air is let into the tube 77 and the vacuum destroyed. The diaphragm 81 is released and the stop arm .86 is then moved back by its spring 85 into the position shown in Fig. 2, allowing the lever 90 to fall back on the cam 89 if this cam is far enough around and whenever moved around to the proper position. This swings the stop shaft 91 up again, and all the three stops just mentioned are moved out of operative position so that as the main shaft rotates its cams will function again. All this has left the sheet of paper with which we started on the grid. Now the nozzle 7 5 moves back to its starting point and then the grids start forward. The nozzle then acts to bring the delivered sheet out into position for the operator to talre it away. It is to be noted that the grids move forward and the nozzle moves back rapidly, so that if any of these actions are delayed by failure of the opera tor to take off the sheet, the sheet being delivered from the feed boX can be carried out into the next operating position if the sheet taken off before thecams get beyond their position for acting. Otherwise the main shaft can rotate as many times as may be necessary without delivering any more sheets from the feed box.

In this Way it will be seen that the device is not only automatic but its operation is controlled by the action of the operator in removing the product from it, and the failure to do so will not result in the clogging of the machine by the feeding of additional sheets which otherwise would be in the way.

By controlling the operation of delivering the sheets from the feed box pneumatically and controlling the initiation of penumatic movement by the position of the sheet itself, the device is made adaptable for practical operation in the art of printing letter heads and similar products. The operator who runs the die press is accustomed to take up sheets from the pile one at a time and this feeding device permits her to do that and yetprovides the sheet always in the proper position for her to get a good hold of it by placing the thumb under its elevated end and yet will not deliver an additional sheet in that position if for any reason her attention has to be directed to the press or if she fails to take a sheet from the feeder in time for the next one to be set in position.

Although I have illustrated and described a single form of the invention and described it as applied to the feeding of sheets in a position for an operator to apply them to a die press, I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made in the construction and combinations of parts, and that it can be used for feeding purposes of a different nature without departing from the scopeof the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I ,do not wish to be limited to all the details of, construction and combina tions of parts or to the feeding for any particular machine, but what I do claim is 1. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with a reciprocating feed box, for re ciprocating it, and means for separating the bottom sheet therefrom, of means for engaging the projecting edge of the bottom sheetand feeding it along as the feed box moves forward, pneumatic means for taking the sheet therefrom and elevating its end in position to be conveniently grasped by the operator, and pneumatic means for preventing the feeding of another sheet by the feed box until the previously fed sheet has been removed from the elevating means.

2. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with a. reciprocating feed box and means for separating the bottom sheet therefrom, of pneumatic means for moving the sheet along and elevating its end in position to be conveniently grasped by the operator, and pneumatic means for controlling the opera tion of the feed box to prevent its feeding another sheet until the previously fed sheet has been removed from said elevating means.

3. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with a reciprocating feed box and pneumatic means for separating the bottom sheet from a pile of sheets therein, of means for engaging the projecting edge of the bottom sheet and feeding it along as the feed box moves forward, pneumatic means for taking the sheet therefrom and elevating its end in position to be COllVQIllQlllllY grasped by the operator, and pneumatic means for controlling the operation of the feed bo n to prevent its feeding another sheet untilthe previously fed sheet has been removed from said elevating means and for preventing the first named pneumatic means operating at that time.

4. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with a reciprocating feed box and pneumatic means for separatingthe bottom sheet therefrom, of means for [engaging the projecting edge of the bottom sheet and feeding it along as the feed box moves forward, pneumatic means for taking the sheet therefrom and elevating its end in position to be conveniently grasped by the operator, and pneumatic means for preventing the movement of the first named pneumatic means into operative position at that time and keeping it disconnected from a source of suction.

5. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with a pneumatic means for separating the bottom sheet from a pile of sheets, of means for engaging the projecting edge of the bottom sheet and feeding it along, pneu matic means for taking the sheet therefrom and elevating its end in position to be conveniently grasped by the operator, and pneumatic means for preventing the first named pneumatic means operating at that time.

6. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with means for separating the bottom sheet from a pile and a set of feed rolls for receiving the separated sheet and feeding it forward, of a movable carriage, a nozzle carried by said carriage for engaging the surface of the separated sheet, and means for moving the carriage forward and changing the elevation of the nozzle.

7. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with means for separating the bottom sheet from a pile and a pair of rolls for receiving the separated sheet and feeding it forward, of a reciprocable carriage, anozzle carried by said carriage for engaging the end of the separated sheet, means for moving the carriage forward and raising the nozzleto elevate the forward end of the sheet, and means for creating suction to hold the end of the sheet up with the nozzle.

8. In a sheet feeding device, the combina tion with means for separating the bottom. sheet from a pile and a pair of rolls for receiving the separated sheet and feeding it forward, of a reciprocable carriage, a nozzle carried by said carriage for engaging the end of the separated sheet, means for moving the carriage forward and raising the nozzle toelevate the forward end of the sheet, means for creating suction to hold the end of the sheet up with the nozzle, and means whereby when the carriage is moved back the. nozzle will be lowered.

9. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a table comprising a series of longitudinal bars located in fixed position, of a grid comprising a series of relatively fixed bars located between the bars of the table and at a slightly higher level, means for moving the grid longitudinally to deliver a sheet, and a nozzle movable forward over the grid and adapted to engage the sheet to carry it forward.

10. In a sheet delivering device, the combination of a stationary table comprising a series of spaced bars fixed at one end and free at the other end, a carriage movable under said table and having a grid consisting of bars between said bars of the table and located at a higher level and fixed to said carriage at their rear ends and free at their front ends, said table having means at the front for slidingly supporting the free end of the grid, and means for moving said grid forward.

11. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a table, of a grid, means for moving the grid longitudinally to deliver a sheet, a nozzle movable forward over the grid and adapted to engage the sheet to carry it forward, and means for moving the nozzle toward the table as it moves back to a position for receiving a sheet and for moving it away from the table as it moves toward delivering position.

12. In a sheet delivering device, the combination of a table for receiving the sheets, a carriage slidable along said table, a shaft oscillatably mounted on the carriage and projecting over the table and having an ccentric end, whereby when the shaft turns said end will swing, a nozzle mounted on said end, and means for connecting said nozzle with means for creating suction therethrough.

3. In a sheet delivering device, the combination of a table for receiving the sheets, a carriage slidable at the side of said table, a shaft oscillatably mounted on the carriage and projecting over the table and having an eccentric end, whereby when the shaft turns said end will swing, a nozzle mounted on said end, means supported by the nozzle for connecting it with means for creating suction, means on the carriage for swinging the nozzle up normally, and means adjustably mounted for swinging the nozzle down when the carriage moves back to a position to receive a new sheet.

14:. In a sheet delivering device, the combination of a table for receiving the sheets. a carriage slidable along said table, an oscillatable shaft projecting over toe table and having an eccentric end, whereby when the shaft turns said end will swing toward or from the table, a nozzle mounted on said. end, means for connecting said nozzle with a source of suction, and means for exhaust ing the air from said nozzle in all positions of the carriage.

15. In a sheet delivering device, the combination of a table for receiving the sheets, a carriage slidable at the side of said table, a shaft oscillatably mounted on the carriage and projecting over the table and having an eccentric end, whereby when the shaft turns said end will swing, a nozzle mounted on said end for engaging and holding a sheet, meanson the carriage for swinging the nozzle up normally, means adjustably mounted for swinging the nozzle down when the carriage moves back to a position to receive a new sheet, a hose connection to the nozzle having a valve therein, and means for automatically permitting said valve to close when the nozzle is moved to its extreme for ward position.

16. In a sheet delivering device, the combination of a table for receiving the sheets, a carriage slidable at the side of said table, a nozzle swingingly mounted and projecting over the table for holding a'sheet, means for connecting the nozzle with a course of suction, means for swinging the nozzle down ISO when the carriagemoves back to a position to receive a new sheet, means for :ilZlll-nc the air from said nozzle comprising a valve, means for auton'iatically permitting said valve to close when the nozzle is moved to its extreme forward position, and means for preventing the closing of the v- .e as long as the nozzle is closed by a shoe of paperf 17. ln a pneumatic sheet feeding device, the combination of a reciprocable nozzle capable of moving up and down, means for moving the nozzle upward as it moves along on its forward stroke to elevate a sheet with which it is connected, means for exhausting air fron'i said nozzle, said means having a valve therein, and means for normally holding said valve open.

18. In a pneumatic sheet feeding device, the combination of a reciprocable nozzle capable of moving up and down, means for moving the nozzle upward as it moves along on its forward stroke to elevate a sheet with which it is connected, means for exhausting air from said nozzle, said means having a valve therein, means for normally holding said valve open comprising a cam, said cam being arranged to move out of operative position when the nozzle moves to the end of its stroke, whereby the valve can close, and additional means for holding the valve open long as the nozzle is closed by a sheet of paper.

19. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with movable nozzle adapted to engage a sheet of paper to feed it forward, pneumatic means connected with the nozzle for holding the sheet in contact with it until removed by hand, a lever having means for disconnecting said pneumatic means, means for stopping the feed, a lever, controlling the feed stopping means, and a pneumatic device connected with said pneumatic means for preventing the operation of said lever to set the stopping device.

20. In a sheet feeding device, the combination of a reciprocable carriage, a nozzle carried thereby, means connected with the nozzle for normally creating a suction therethrough, whereby the nozzle is capable of carrying a sheet along with it, a casing connected with said pneumatic means, an arm connected with said casing adapted to be moved into operative position thereby when the nozzle is closed by a sheet of paper, a lever movable by the machine, means connected with said lever for operating the carriage, and means connected with said casing for preventing the operation of said lever whenever the nozzle is in delivering position with a sheet covering it and adapted to be released by the uncovering of said nozzle.

21. In a sheet feeding device, the combination of a reciprocable nozzle for engagement with the surface of a sheet, a

conduit connecting the nozzle with a source of suctioin'a valve in said conduit for closing and opening it, means timed tooperate with the reciprocation of the nozzle for periodically opening said valve, and'maens whereoy when the nozzle is closed by a sheet of paper, the valve can. not be closed until the sheet of paper is removed from the nozzle.

22. In a sheet feeding device, the com bination of reciprocating nozzle for engaging and moving a sheet, aconduit connecting said nozzle with a source of suction, a pneumatic diaphram connected with said conduit to be held in one position thereby when the nozzle is closed by a sheet of paper, a stop arm pivotally iiounted and connected with said diaphram to control the connection of the conduit with said source of suction, a spring for pulling said stop arm over into inoperative position when the nozzle is open and the diaphram is not under suction, and means controlled by said stop arm for operating the nozzle back and forth and formoving it up and down.

23. lin a sheet feeding device, the combination of a reciprocable carriage, a nozzle on said carriage for engaging and carrying sheets, means for connecting the nozzle with a source of'suction comprising a tube, pneumatic diaphragm connected with said tube, a pivoted stop lever connected with said diaphragm, whereby the diaphragm will. move it into operative position when under suction, a spring for normally moving the stop lever into inoperative position, a cam,'a lever operated by said cam and having a stop-piece thereon under which the stop lever engages when pulled back by the diaphragm, a shaft on which said lever is mounted, and means controlled by said shaft whereby when the lever is held up by the stop lever, the carriage is prevented from reciprocating and the connection of the nozzle with its source of suction is maintained.

24-. In a sheet feeding device, the combination of a reciprocable carriage, a. nozzle mounted on said carriage for engaging and .under which the stop lever engages when pulled back by the diaphragm to hold the lever off the cam, a shaft on which said lever is mounted, means whereby when the lever is held up by the stop lever, the carriage is prevented from reciprocating, a

also pivoted to swing on another axis into and out of the horizontal position for engaging a sheet at the bottom of a pile, a

shaft having an arm on it for controlling the up and down motion of the nozzle, means on said box for swinging said shaft when the box moves back to a certain position, a second shaft having means for controlling the swinging of the nozzle into horizontal position, and means movable with. the box for operating the second shaft.

26. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with a reciprocating feed box and means for separating the bottom sheet therefrom, of means for moving the sheet along and elevating its end in position to be conveniently grasped by the operator. and means for controlling the operation of the feed box to prevent its feeding another sheet until the previously fed sheet has been removed from said elevating means.

27. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with a reciprocating feed box and means for separating the bottom sheet from a pile of sheets therein, of means for engaging the projecting edge of the bottom sheet and feeding it along as the feed box moves forward, means for taking the sheet therefrom and elevating its end in position to be conveniently grasped by the operator, and means for controlling the operation of the feed box to prevent its feeding another sheet until the previously fed sheet has been removed from said elevating means and for preventing the first named means operating at that time.

28. In a sheet feeding device, the combination with a means for separating the bottom sheet from a pile of sheets, of means for engaging the projecting edge of the bottom sheet and feeding it along, means for taking the sheet therefrom and elevating itsend in position to be conveniently grasped by the operator, and means for preventing the first named means operating at that time.

29. In a feeding device for a die-press attachment, the combination of a nozzle operated by vacuum to hold the sheet ready for the grasp of the operator, and sheet separating and nozzle operating elements so arranged that when the sheet is not removed from the nozzle the functions of separating and moving into place of the subsequent sheets are suspended.

30. In a sheet-handling mechanism, means for holding one sheet ready for the operator to grasp, while the sheet following occupies a space provided for it, and means connected with the first-named means for either separating or failing to separate the third sheet in succession depending on whether the first sheet is or is not removed by the operator.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

JOHN E. l/VOODBURY. 

